bswift Beacon

bswift Beacon

bswift Beacon is a podcast for HR leaders looking for honest, thought-provoking conversations about work, benefits, and the challenges they face. Hosts Denise Day and Joel Nihlean explore bold ideas, real stories, and practical strategies that keep workplaces thriving. This is not another sales pitch or a scripted how-to guide—it's a place for honest conversations about successes, stumbles, and surprising insights. Every episode brings fresh insights and ideas that can help you make work better for everyone.

Episodes

April 6, 2026 16 mins

bswift Chief Legal Officer John Herbst joins Denise and Joel to break down the "year of regulatory shift" and what it means for benefits leaders in 2026. From ACA subsidies expiring and HIPAA security changes to mental health parity challenges, state PBM rules, and possible PBM fiduciary duties, John calls out what's real, what's noise, and where employers should focus to stay compliant, protect their plans, and keep costs in check...

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bswift CEO Ted Bloomberg joins Denise and Joel to unpack the reality of 2026's costs—and why the old playbook just doesn't cut it anymore. From game-changing advances in AI to smarter, always-on engagement strategies, Ted shares how HR can move from bracing for impact to actually bending the cost curve. Along the way, we dig into how personalization can unlock proactive benefits and drive down costs.

 

Ted Bloomberg is a health car...

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How do you lead when the pressure's on? For bswift Chief People Officer Natalie Atwood, it starts long before open enrollment begins. Natalie joins Denise and Joel to talk about building relationship capital, using feedback as a lever for culture, what it takes to move the people function from administrative to strategic, and why her best advice for HR leaders is to "fix your roof when the sun's shining."

About Natalie Atwood 
Nat...

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Tune in to the latest episode of the bswift Beacon. Joel and Denise are joined by Amit Jain, COO of bswift, to discuss the challenges of annual enrollment and how HR teams can navigate this busy season. Amit shares insights on preparation, teamwork, and the critical role of people, process, and technology in delivering a seamless experience. 

From real-world examples to the transformative power of tools like Emma™ Intelligence, thi...

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Joel and Denise are back with bswift Beacon, this time joined by bswift's Senior VP of Product Engineering, Vinita Pilani, to discuss the evolution of HR tech. 

They explore the shift happening in HR as AI tools take on the busy work and tactical execution, allowing teams to focus on strategy and people. From innovative dashboards to seamless employee interactions, this episode showcases how Emma AdminPro™ transforms what's possibl...

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Join hosts Denise and Joel for a special live episode of the bswift Beacon podcast, recorded at bswift's Idea Exchange conference in Hollywood, FL. This episode features guest Scott Millson, author of "Frequency of Excellence," as he shares his unique perspectives on leadership, the power of mentorship, and how to tune into everyday excellence. Packed with stories, insights, and actionable advice, this conversation is a must-listen...

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Join hosts Denise and Joel for an insightful discussion with Senior Vice President of the bswift Service Center, Eric Strom, the driving force behind bswift's Service Center transformation. 

We'll cover the pivotal role service plays in benefits administration, digging into what it takes and how bswift strikes the balance between AI-driven innovation and the irreplaceable human touch. Eric shares his perspective on leadership, his ...

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Join hosts Joel and Denise for the debut episode of bswift Beacon. Get insights from internal communications expert Alyssa Zeff. We dive into key HR topics like improving employee engagement, navigating information overload, and leveraging AI to foster productivity. It's packed with insights, ideas, and practical strategies for HR leaders looking for real talk and actionable solutions to today's workplace challenges.

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Welcome to the bswift Beacon, a podcast designed to spark real, honest conversations about work, benefits, and the challenges HR leaders face. Hosts Denise Day and Joel Nihlean will explore bold ideas, dig into expert insights, and explore practical strategies—with no sales pitches or jargon—all to find the solutions that make work better for everyone. Tune in, subscribe, and discover what's next in the worl...

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